System And Method For Hydraulic Displacement

ABSTRACT

A system and method for hydraulic displacement is described which can provide an improved method for raising or lowering a fluid level. The system and method has direct application to inland waterway transport and in particular to canal locks where canal boats traverse inclines through a series of locks. In addition, the invention can provide the access to a marina, which may be raised up above sea level or behind a sea wall defence. The method enables the formation of an improved hydraulic displacement lock capable of a greater vertical displacement with greatly reduced flow of fluid through the lock. The hydraulic displacement lock comprises an enclosed central channel, having sequential fluid storage tanks connected to the central channel. When the central channel is closed at its lower end, opening and closing connecting channels to the sequential storage tanks allows fluid to flow under the force of gravity into or out of the central channel, thereby raising or lowering the level of fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system and method for hydraulic displacement.More particularly, it relates to a system and method for raising orlowering a fluid level in a central cavity, which can work using activepumping or under gravity without requiring any power. In particular, theinvention has direct application to inland waterway transport whereinthis system and method for hydraulic displacement can be used to createa highly efficient and effective way to raise or lower a boat betweendifferent water levels. In addition, the invention can provide sea orlake-going boats with an improved access to a marina, which may beraised up above sea level and or behind a sea wall defence.

Generally, inland waterway networks have been well established over manyhundreds of years and methods to raise boats over inclines usingstandard locks are known. In fact, conventional locks work soeffectively that other solutions have not been sought. Nevertheless,canal locks are not efficient. Increasingly, the method of achievingvertical lift via sequential canal locks, which comprise canal sectionsof approximately 25 metres long having paddle gates at either end, iscreating bottlenecks in the inland waterway transport network as thenetwork becomes more popular and more boats use the canals. Analternative method is needed which is able to move water craft moreefficiently over undulating terrain than conventional locks.

Standard canal locks comprise several key challenges, not only for thosesailing the boats, but also for the environment. In order for a boat topass a single canal lock, which may typically raise a boat only 3 metresin vertical ascent, approximately 40,000 litres of water flow throughthe lock. This is a substantial amount of water which is lost each timea boat passes through a lock. A system and method for hydraulicdisplacement which greatly reduces the amount of water passing throughthe lock will have a reduced impact upon the head of water in the canalsystem.

This substantial movement of water also has an impact on the ecosystemsof the canal. If it were possible to reduce the flow of water throughthe canal, less damage will be done to the environment.

Generally, there are other environmental problems associated with canallocks relating to the silting up of the locks due to the stagnation ofwater. Insufficient or irregular water flow causes silting of the canalchannel. A system which would prevent silting of the main canal channelwould greatly reduce the maintenance of the canal waterways.

From a safety perspective, canal locks have limited exit points for boatpassengers should they fall overboard. Once in the water and with theboat potentially squeezing a person to the side walls, any personfalling into the water must swim around searching for an exit point. Anew canal lock which reduces dangers to boat passengers while transitingthe lock will be greatly welcomed.

Generally, flights of locks take a relatively long time to transit dueto the limitations in vertical height that each lock can provide as wellas the duration of the transit which involves opening and closing paddlegates against the water in the locks themselves. Clearly, a new lockdesign which provides the means to ascend or descend without needing toopen and close paddle gates against water will greatly improve transittimes over undulating terrain.

When a boat moves through a canal lock there is some movement of theboat due to the ingress of water into the lock. Any relative movementthrough a larger lock system such as the one disclosed in this patentapplication needs to be prevented and boats must be kept aligned duringtransit. Additional means are thus required to maintain the alignment ofthe boats as each one transits a lock of much larger dimensions. Thecurrent invention is also directed towards this said problem ofalignment.

Alternative systems to raise or lower canal boats a substantial verticaldistance using more complex structures than conventional flights oflocks are known. The two most common systems are the inclined planemethod and the vertical lift method. An example of the inclined planemethod can be seen in operation at Ronquieres in Belgium. In theinclined plane method, two sets of rail tracks climb an inclineconnecting two canals at two separate elevations. Each canal terminatesin a tank section where each tank sits upon one rail structure and wherean upper tank structure is linked to a lower tank structure by somecable means. Boats sail into a tank in each of the higher and lowercanals and then each tank is closed. The tank and boat at the higherelevation is made heavier than the lower tank and boat by adding morewater to it. The higher heavier tank then descends under gravity to thelower elevation thereby pulling the lighter lower tank up to the higherelevation via the said cable means.

Two examples of the vertical lift method include the Falkirk Wheel atFalkirk in Scotland and the boat lift at Strepy-Thieu in Belgium. TheFalkirk Wheel rotates two canal tank sections each containing a boataround an axis from an upper canal to a lower level where the upper tanksection is made heavier than the lower tank section by varying theamount of water. The cost of building the Falkirk Wheel was reported as17.5 million pounds sterling. The boat lift at Strepy-Thieu links anupper and lower canal via a boat lift system. This system comprises twocanal tank sections which are attached by 112 suspension cables and 32control cables and which are driven by a powerful lift engine and wherethe upper and heavier canal tank section undergoes a controlled descentand raises the lighter and lower canal tank section. The cost ofbuilding the boat lift and completing the connecting canalinfrastructure at Strepy-Thieu in Belgium was reported as costing inexcess of 647 million euros. In fact, the boat lift system is extremelycomplicated to operate and to maintain which greatly limits it to highwater traffic environments.

Clearly, these systems for connecting canals at different elevations arevery complex and expensive to construct and any cost effectivealternative which is more effective and efficient to implement will bevery attractive to the inland waterways transport industry. Moreover, asolution is needed which is economically viable for large and smallwater traffic situations.

In addition to these problems of connecting canals at different heightsor for systems to enable canals to traverse undulating terrain,substantial excavations must take place. Any solution which could enablea canal to pass underneath a motorway rather than over it would makepossible a canal connection for a greatly reduced cost. Canal bridgesare extremely expensive and substantial foundations must be built tosupport such structures.

There are other application areas to which the invention of thisapplication is directed which involves the harbouring of boats such asin coastal marinas or in marinas linked to inland lakes and reservoirsor in sheltered coastal harbours. Building marinas is extremelyexpensive because marinas must have open access to the sea or reservoiror lake to which they will be connected. Consequently, the designatedsite of the marina must be sealed off and drained at great expensebefore construction may begin. Moreover, the locations of marinas andtheir construction in the vicinity of holiday resorts are greatlydetermined by the coastline and the geography of the site, which in turndetermines the cost of construction. Often marinas simply cannot bebuilt due to the problems of water drainage, site excavation, vehicleaccess to the site and tidal fluctuations. In fact, tidal variabilityand the degree of protection against prevailing weather conditionsafforded by the marina coastal barriers are also factors which influencethe possibility of building a marina at any location. Other essentialfactors include the ease of building access roads to the marina and therequirement for facilities for launching boats into and removing boatsout of the water for servicing and repair.

Boats in marinas also require periodic maintenance. Generally, boatsmust be physically removed from the water before boats can be adequatelyoverhauled and checked for any damage below the water line. Dry dockfacilities are simply not available for small water craft. All of theseproblem areas are addressed by the current invention for a system andmethod for hydraulic displacement and its direct application to marinas.

Wherever water channels can be used for transporting freight or boats orwater-transport personnel carriers, there are challenges involved withraising or lowering the said freight or boats or personnel carriers. Ifa system and method existed for moving freight off ships close to shoreusing a raised water channel comprising an entry point at the sameheight as the storage deck of the said freight, where the freight islowered onto a pontoon in the raised channel and the channel can providea means to lower the freight to a lower level, significant benefitswould arise since fewer cranes would be needed.

Moreover, such a controlled descent of the freight would greatly reducethe damage to the freight which might occur if the freight were droppedfrom the ship during unloading.

Such a solution would also be suitable for disembarkation from ships andoil rigs in the instance that a controlled descent is required.Currently, emergency evacuation of oil rigs is effected usinghelicopters, and when this is not possible as in the case of fire, apersonnel-carrying pod may be used which drops into the sea from thelevel of the oil rig platform. This can cause injury to the passengerswhen the pod plunges into the sea. The system and method of the currentinvention is also directed towards this aspect of oilrig evacuation.

In a separate application any method for providing controlled descent ofa floating craft down a closed cavity also has direct application tounderwater viewing of an extensive aquarium or close offshore marinelife. Such a system could provide a new and exciting recreationalactivity for viewing undersea creatures in the instance that the cavitywere at least partly formed of suitable transparent material.

In other application areas which involve boat mooring, the reducednumber of mooring spaces and increased congestion on inland waterways isgreatly increasing the prices of moorings due to standard supply anddemand market forces. Any system which can make possible the creation ofmooring facilities including multilevel moorings adjacent to existingwaterways will greatly alleviate this problem.

In other parts of the world such as in South America, the massproduction of the Soya bean for global export poses engineers somechallenges. Currently the climate and environment makes parts of SouthAmerica the prime location to grow millions of acres of Soya Bean andthe estimated investment in US dollars stands at 1.6 billion. Chinaalone has purchased some 120 million acres to grow and export Soya beansto its own population. The merging of 2 major rivers from Paraguay toUruguay and the development of the Atlantic/Pacific corridor are just 2of the exciting projects which would benefit from using the DiagonalLock Concept. Any engineers embarking on restoration should indeedconsider the concept or development of waterways as the design offersflexibility simplicity and total control over water, which is not afeature of any alternative design available.

Further to these limitations of existing technologies, and so far as isknown, no system and method for hydraulic displacement is presentlyavailable which is directed towards the specific needs of this problemarea as outlined.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved system and method for hydraulic displacement which can raise orlower a fluid level such that it can be applied directly to improvementsfor the movement of any floating means between different elevations.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide an improved system and method for hydraulic displacement whichcan raise or lower a fluid level in a section of a fluid transportnetwork such that it can be applied directly to improvements for themovement of boats along canals travelling over undulating terrain andwhich can serve to replace flights of conventional canal locks in anefficient and effective way.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which comprises atube which may be sloped at the angle of the terrain which comprises acentral cavity for containing fluid and which further comprises one ormore fluid storage tanks connected to the central cavity which canexchange fluid with the central cavity and thereby change the level ofthe fluid in the central cavity.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which comprises atube which may be sloped at the angle of the terrain which comprises acentral cavity for containing fluid and which further comprises one ormore fluid storage tanks connected to the central cavity which makes useof one or more hydraulic fluid valves which each provide connectionbetween at least one fluid storage tank whereby these valves can beopened and closed manually or by automated means. In addition, hydraulicvalves may connect to an adjacent central cavity tube, where at leastone additional central cavity transit tube is present.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which comprises atube which may be sloped at the angle of the terrain which comprises acentral cavity for containing fluid and which further comprises one ormore fluid storage tanks connected to the central cavity which makes useof one or more hydraulic fluid valves which can provide a variable rateof fluid exchange, either between the transit tube and the fluid storagetanks and or an adjacent transit tube, or between the transit tube andemergency flood drains outside the structure so that the rate ofdrainage of fluid from the central cavity can be increased in conditionsof an emergency.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which comprisesmore than one tube which may be sloped at the angle of the terrain eachof which comprises a central cavity for containing fluid and whichfurther comprises one or more fluid storage tanks connected to at leastone central cavity which can exchange fluid with the at least onecentral cavity and thereby change the level of the fluid in the centralcavity and where there is a direct hydraulic connection between the twoor more tubes to enable fluid to be exchanged between them resulting influid lowering in one tube as fluid rises in another.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which can form animproved hydraulic lock for moving boats or floating pontoons betweendifferent elevations which comprises more than one primary cavity tubesloped at the angle of the terrain or at an angle suitable for thelocation which are linked to each other to enable fluid to be exchangedbetween them wherein at least one primary tube comprises one or morefluid storage tanks such that fluid can be exchanged either directlybetween the plurality of primary tubes and or between at least oneprimary tube and one or more of the said fluid storage tanks in order tochange the level of fluid in the said primary tubes so that boats orfloating pontoons can be raised or lowered in elevation. In particular,the direct connection between the two or more primary tubes enables, forexample, a substantial amount of fluid to be moved from one primary tubeinto an adjacent primary tube so that one boat can be moved downwards asanother boat in the adjacent tube is raised.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which can form animproved hydraulic lock for moving boats or floating pontoons betweendifferent elevations which comprises two primary boat or pontoon transittubes adjacent to each other and a sequence of fluid storage tanks suchthat water can be exchanged between the said tanks and tubes to raiseone or more boats in one tube while lowering one or more boats inanother tube wherein the system may comprise a separate tube to serve asa dry transit passage situated adjacent to the said transit tubes toprovide a means of escape in case of fire or emergency by way ofwatertight doors or to view craft in transit through transparent windowsinto the primary transit tubes.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which can providea canal lock which greatly reduces the amount of water flowing throughthe lock when compared to conventional canal locks as each boat transitsthe lock according to the system and method of the current invention.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which comprisesone or more fluid storage tanks such that fluid can be exchanged betweenthe said tanks and central cavity either flowing under the force ofgravity or being forced under pressure via a pumping system.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which comprises alower gate which closes while a boat is transiting the lock which isdesigned to withstand the pressure caused by the water stored in thecentral cavity wherein the gate is curved and closes into a receivingcurved slot or wherein the gate is flat and closes into a recess in thebottom of the lock.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement to create asloping canal lock which may be constructed of concrete and or othersuitable material and which comprises one or more central cavity transittubes wherein each comprises a lower gate in addition to one or morewater storage tanks such that when a lower gate is closed, water can besequentially drained into the central cavity from the said fluid storagetank(s) and or from a separate transit tube such that the level of waterin the central cavity rises up, or water can be drained from the centralcavity into the fluid storage tanks and or into a separate transit tubesuch that the level of water in the central cavity falls.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which comprises anew and improved sloping canal lock wherein the lock comprises an entryand exit means for a boat at the top and the bottom so that boats canenter and ascend up through or descend down through the central cavityof the lock by the exchange of water between the one or more waterstorage tanks and the central cavity.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which comprises acurved lower gate wherein the curved gate is shaped as part of acylindrical surface and rotates around an axis such that the axis istangential to the direction of the boat within the lock such that theboat ascends or descends along a line which is tangential to the axis ofthe gate.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement wherein thecurved gate is shaped as part of a cylindrical surface and rotatesaround an axis such that the axis is normal to the direction of the boatwithin the lock such that the boat ascends or descends along a linewhich is normal to the axis of the gate.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement wherein thecurved gate comprises counterweights to counterbalance the forward forceof the gate due to its weight such that the downward turning force ormoment of the gate is very low at any point along its path of motion asit turns around the gate axis.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement wherein thecurved gate is made of stainless steel or other suitable material andthe counterweights are attached to the rear extension of the curved gateand are enclosed within a separate dry structure such that thecounterweights remain outside the central wet cavity and are thus dryand serviceable during operation of the gate.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which affordsimproved safety features when implemented as a new and improved canallock for moving a boat between different elevations.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which can providea rapid means for lifting or lowering a boat or other floating containeror device according to different application environments.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which is suitablefor raising a boat to a marina which is built above sea level or abovethe level of the surrounding watercourse.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which is suitablefor raising a boat over a defensive sea wall or outer harbour wall orgeological rock feature to a marina such that a marina can beconstructed in a more economically viable location and where boats maybe afforded additional protection from weather and or tidal changes.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which enables theconstruction of a marina in a more fortuitous location above sea leveland whereby the marina may comprise a partial or complete dry dockfacility for servicing and or repair when part or all of the marinawater is diverted out of the marina.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which enables theconstruction of an improved canal lock or boat elevation system which isdirected to raising or lowering boats between different elevations in avery cost effective way compared to alternative methods currentlyavailable.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which enables theconstruction of inland or coastal marinas built at higher elevation suchthat there is a greatly reduced need to drain extensive areas for theconstruction of the said marinas and where the location can be optimisedin terms of road access and boat launching facilities.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which can providean improved hydraulic lock and which is suited for the controlledtransportation of boats or freight or floating personnel carriers,collectively called craft, between different elevations and whereby thesystem comprises a means to maintain the alignment of the said craft aseach craft transits the lock.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which can providean improved lock and which comprises a means of alignment for crafttransiting the lock such that the alignment system comprises a floatingpontoon or bollard structure to which one or more craft are mooredduring transit of the lock and wherein the alignment system is raised orlowered with the craft as the hydraulic level changes.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which can providean improved lock and which comprises a means of alignment for crafttransiting the lock such that the alignment system comprises a submergedsection which is lower than the one or more craft which are moored toit, such that the one or more craft sit upon or above part of thealignment system which controls their alignment during transit.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which can providean improved lock and which comprises a means of alignment for aligningcraft during transit which floats and which comprises a guiding meanswhich follows one or more grooves or channels and or raised profiles inthe wall of the tube.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which can providean improved lock and which comprises a means of alignment for aligningcraft during transit which comprises a guiding means and furthercomprises roller balls or wheels integrated with the said guiding meansto improve the transit of the floating bollard structure to which thecraft are moored.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which can providean improved lock and which comprises a means of alignment for aligningcraft during transit which forms a floating bollard structure to whichthe craft are moored which comprises a concave curved profile at the endof the structure closest to the door system such that the rising levelof hydraulic fluid exerts a pressure upon this back end of the alignmentstructure.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which can providean improved lock and which comprises a means of alignment for aligningcraft during transit through the lock comprising features such as astorage tank to contain fire-retardant foam, and or a safety chamber forpassengers to enter and secure themselves against fumes or emergencysituations, and bollards to which the craft can be moored fore and aft.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which can providea controlled means for disembarkation from ships and oil rigs.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which can enablea canal to pass underneath a motorway rather than over it and therebysave the substantial cost of manufacturing a canal bridge.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which makes useof the lock as part of the means for viewing undersea creatures in theinstance that the cavity is formed of strong and transparent materialsuch that it forms part of a closed transit viewing network and providesthe link between the upper level entry point of the network and thelower underwater viewing level of the marine or aquarium environment.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the present invention toprovide a system and method for hydraulic displacement which makes useof hydraulic fluid valves which can be opened in an emergency tomaximise the rate of drainage of the transit cavity.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe description to follow when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain of the foregoing and related objects are readily-attainedaccording to the present invention by the provision of a novel systemand method for hydraulic displacement which can provide the basis for anew and improved inland waterways lock for traversing undulating terrainwhich serves to address the diverse existing inefficiencies of flightsof locks.

In a main embodiment, the invention provides a highly creative solutionfor raising or lowering boats or floating pontoons between differentelevations which makes use of a central transit channel which slopesagainst the profile of the landscape and which comprises an upper and alower entry point where the lower entry point comprises a lower gatewhich can be closed to enable the filling of the central channel whichwill raise the level of water in that channel. The central channel ishydraulically connected to a sequence of fluid storage tanks which canbe opened and closed to exchange water with the central channel, eitherunder gravity or via a pumping means. Alternatively, and according to adifferent embodiment, a second transit channel may be constructedalongside the first transit channel such that water can be exchangedbetween the two transit channels directly.

Raising and or lowering the water level in one or more transit channels,which are each closed by means of a lower gate, can be achieved byexchanging water between the fluid storage tanks and or directly betweenan adjacent transit channel by means of hydraulic valves which can bemanually opened or closed or automated.

The same system and method provides the means to connect a marina with awaterway, or a lake, or a reservoir, or open sea which may be at a lowerlevel, thereby making possible the construction of a marina in aneconomically favourable location and at greatly reduced cost and orbehind a continuous water defence barrier. In alternative applicationsthe invention provides the means for enabling an inland waterway to bebuilt under an existing motorway.

The invention also comprises a floating bollard or mooring system whichaligns the boats during transit of the lock. In addition, the hydrauliclock may comprise an adjacent dry passage to enable escape throughwatertight doors in the rare instances of fire or fumes as well asproviding a pedestrian link for persons to view the operation of thelock when boats are in transit.

The same system and method also provides an alternative means forlifting and lowering freight or persons on floating pontoons in acontrolled way which may have direct application in industrialmanufacturing environments as well as in applications where emergencyevacuation may be required such as from an oil rig.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings, which disclose several key embodiments of theinvention. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings aredesigned for the purpose of illustration only and that the particulardescription of the hydraulic lock and its application to a marina aregiven by way of example only to help highlight the advantages of thecurrent invention and do not limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic identifying all the essential elements ofone embodiment of a single channel hydraulic lock which can beconstructed according to the current invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a lower gate used to close the lockduring transit.

FIG. 3 a illustrates one embodiment of a single channel hydraulic lockwhich can be constructed according to the current invention.

FIG. 3 b illustrates one embodiment of the upper access area of thesingle channel hydraulic lock.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a hydraulic lock whichcomprises a second transit channel.

FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a floating mooring structure which canserve to align boats during transit of the lock.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1thereof, therein illustrated is a schematic of the hydraulicdisplacement system according to the current invention.

The following description makes full reference to the detailed featuresaccording to different embodiments as outlined in the objects of theinvention.

The system comprises a central transit tube (101) which has connected toit a sequence of side storage tanks (102). In the application for animproved canal lock, the hydraulic system connects two canals atdifferent elevations.

The system further comprises a lower entry structure (104) and an upperentry structure (103). The lower entry structure (104) further comprisesa gate (105) which can be opened or closed to allow boats or floatingpontoons to enter or leave the hydraulic displacement system.

At the lower end of the system is a lower waterway (107) which isseparated from the transit tube by the gate (105) and at the higher endof the system is an upper waterway (106) which can be sealed from theupper waterway by a gate (109).

The storage tanks (102) are connected to the main transit tube by tubescontaining fluid control vales (108). These valves may be opened andclosed manually to allow water to be exchanged between the main transittube (101) and the storage tanks (102), or the powered control means(110) can be fully integrated with every aspect of the system includingthe opening and closing of the hydraulic valves (108) to manage theentire operation of the hydraulic system.

The powered control means (110) comprises a command and control centrewhich will be built separately from the structure and will be linked toevery moving part of the structure. In order to take full control of theoperation of the hydraulic system, it will monitor fluid levels at everypoint in the system and the flow of water between the transit tube andstorage tanks while a boat is in transit. In addition the control meanswill take full control of the management of the lower gate (105).

When not in use, both gates (105, 109) are closed and the level of fluidin the transit tube is either at the level of the upper waterway (106)or at the level of the lower waterway (107). The hydraulic displacementsystem makes use of the side storage tanks in an efficient and effectiveway to minimise the net flow of fluid between the upper and lowerwaterways.

The control means (110) may supervise control of the upper gate (109) tomanage the safety of the system.

In operation, a boat enters the lower end of the transit tube by way ofthe lower waterway (107) and then enters the lower entry structure (104)after passing through the gate (105) which is closed behind it. The boatis moored to a floating platform, an example of which is shown in FIG.5, which is held in alignment during transit by an alignment means(111). The alignment means (111) comprises one or more continuouschannels or profiles on the inside surface of the transit tube, and thefloating platform to which the boat is moored, comprises one or morealignment arms which are guided by the alignment means during transit.

Due to the symmetry of the system, it is anticipated that two boats willbe raised or lowered at the same time.

To raise a boat from the lower level to the upper level, as has beenindicated, the boat is moored securely to a floating platform. Afterthis, the gate is securely closed. During the transit of the hydrauliclock, the lower gate closes the lower tube and makes possible theraising of boats or floating pontoons in the transit tube. In thepreferred embodiment, the gate comprises part of a cylindrical profileand closes around an axis. Details of the gate and its operation will bedescribed shortly with reference to FIG. 2.

Water is then emptied from the nearest fluid storage tank into thetransit tube (101). The separation in height between the bottom level ofthe storage tank and the level of fluid in the transit tube is chosencarefully to optimise the amount of fluid that will flow into thetransit tube. When the hydraulic valve (108) is open, water will flowunder gravity or be pumped out until the tank is empty or the level inthe transit tube is the same as the level in the storage tank. Thechoice of the lower level of the storage tank thus determines whetherthe tank is to be drained completely or partly or whether in certaininstances powered pumps are to be used.

As water flows from the first storage tank into the transit tube theboat which is moored to the floating platform will rise as the platformrises. When the storage tank has been drained into the transit tube, thevalve (108) is closed either manually or via some control means. Whenthis is done, the valve (108) in the next closest tank is drained intothe transit tube. This causes the water level in the main transit tubeto rise further and the floating platform rises further up the transittube.

In this way, one or two or more boats or floating pontoons which aremoored to the floating means are raised within the hydraulicdisplacement system. After the highest storage tank has been drainedinto the transit tube, the floating platform will still be below thelevel of the upper waterway (106). The final fluid displacement requiredto equalize the level of water in the transit tube with the water levelin the upper waterway can either be achieved by opening the upper gate(109) or preferably by providing a separate hydraulic connection, whichcomprises an upper valve and control means between the upper waterwayand the transit tube directly. By opening this upper valve, the level ofwater in the transit tube will become equal to the level of water in theupper waterway.

With reference to FIG. 2, therein illustrated is a schematic of all theessential elements of the lower entry structure (104) according to apreferred embodiment of the invention.

In the preferred embodiment, the lower gate system or lower entrystructure (104) comprises a central wet cavity (202) and two separatedry cavities (203). The gate (105) is made up of a gate elementintegrated with a mounting structure at either end (205) within the wetcavity (202) which closes the lower entry structure from the lowerwaterway.

The gate and mounting structure are connected via an axis at each end toa control structure (206) which is connected to the central controlmeans (110) and which comprises a counterbalance system (207). Thiscounterbalance system comprises a moving element which moves in theopposite direction within the counterbalance system to the front edge ofthe gate (208) as the gate is opened or closed. In this way the netdownward force due to the weight of the gate is actively counterbalancedby the system (207) to provide equilibrium of the gate system at everypoint of its motion around the axis (204) as it closes or opens.

In the lower part of FIG. 2 is shown a three dimensional schematic ofthe shape of the gate and the mounting structure and the possiblelocation of the counterbalance system (207).

During operation, the dry cavities (203) provide the means to maintainand service the counterweight systems (207). Suitable watertight sealswill be used to prevent leakage of water between the central wet cavity(202) and either of the two dry cavities (203).

During operation, the gate will move within a watertight groove andclose into a recessed grove within the floor of the lower entrystructure.

With reference to FIG. 3 a, therein illustrated is a schematic of ahydraulic lock comprising the features of the current invention whichmay be built to connect a lower waterway or a coastal harbour with anupper waterway or marina.

The transit tube (101) is shown in relief and is set at an angle whichbest matches the terrain profile. The storage tanks (102) are eitherbuilt on the surface of the terrain or they are buried underground. Thecommand and control means which may be built to power and monitor thesystem when in use may be located within the lower entry structure(104). It is anticipated that the entire structure will be built ofreinforced concrete or other suitable material, either being built insitu by pouring concrete or partly or completely of prefabricatedsections and assembled on site using cranes. The access to the site andthe difficulty of erecting cranes will determine the optimum method ofconstruction.

With reference to FIG. 3 b, therein illustrated is a schematic of theupper entry point (301) of the hydraulic lock system.

The upper entry point is surrounded by terrain areas (305) and comprisesa safety rail (302)

The schematic shows the transit tube (101) descending down the terrainprofile. The upper waterway (106) is connected via a gate (109) to thewater in the upper entry structure (103) which comprises the totalsystem at the top of the structure. Within this area are shown two boats(304) which may be moored to the moorings (509) which are integratedwith the floating platform structure (501). This floating platformstructure (501) is described in more detail later with reference to FIG.5.

The floating platform comprises two mooring platforms (502) integratedwith an upper element (505) and an alignment arm (504) which will alignwith the alignment profile (111) in the inner surface of the transittube (101).

In operation, when two boats want to descend to the lower level of thehydraulic lock, the gate 109 will be opened to allow the boats to enterthe upper entry structure (103) along the waterway (106). The gate (109)will be closed behind them and the boats will be moored to the floatingplatform using the mooring bollards (509).

The command and control means (110) will then take control of thetransit of the boats through the hydraulic lock.

As the water is drained from the transit tube into the side storagetanks by making use of the hydraulic valves (108), the floating platformdescends as the water level lowers and the alignment arm (504) is guidedinto the alignment profile (111). In this way the boats are kept alignedduring descent within the hydraulic lock.

With reference to FIG. 4, therein illustrated is an example according toan alternative embodiment which comprises a second transit tubealongside a first transit tube. In this embodiment, the system works inan equivalent way as the single transit lock. The difference is that twotransits may be made at the same time. Ideally, the system is set towork in a counter flow arrangement such that as one transit tube isemptying, the other transit tube is filling. In this arrangement, watercan be directly fed from one transit tube to the other. This speeds upthe rate of transit by reducing the need to drain water always betweenthe storage tanks (102) as shown on FIG. 3 a. FIG. 4 gives a goodrepresentation of how a central access door between the two separategate systems can provide access to a walkway which may exist between thetwo transit tubes along the line A, B. This walkway may comprise aseparate tunnel structure with viewing ports into the transit tubes toenable pedestrians to view the boats passing during transit. Thesetransparent ports will be constructed of a suitable material to enableintegration with the transit tube structure and will have the capabilityto withstand the hydraulic pressures involved.

The separate tunnel structure may also comprise watertight doors whichmay be used in an emergency to enable persons to leave either of thetransit tubes. All known means of safety alarms and control systems maybe used to make sure that this safety feature may be effectivelyintegrated with the structure.

Additionally, if required, the system may comprise high volume drainsfor removing water from either of the transit tubes in case ofemergency. These drain system may be controlled by the command andcontrol centre (110) and may be built below the line of the transit tubealong its entire length and comprise drain port valves which can beopened accordingly to enable the transit tube to be rapidly drained.

With reference to FIG. 5, therein illustrated is one embodiment of afloating platform which may be used by boats when transiting thehydraulic lock according to the current invention.

The floating platform (501) comprises two mooring platforms (502)connected by a lower linking structure (503). Above the platforms, anupper structure (505) comprises an alignment arm (504) and a lower guidestructure (506). The upper alignment arm (504) comprises, in thisembodiment, two wheels which will move as they make contact with theinner surface of the alignment profile of the transit tube (101). Asimilar alignment profile may exist in the lower surface of the transittube (101) to enable the wheel (508) in the lower guide structure (506)to be guided as the floating platform (501) transits the lock.

The lower linking structure may comprise a tank storing fire retardantfoam which may be linked to a dispensing means on the surface of themooring platforms. In addition a safety hatch (511) may link viainternal steps to a closed compartment in one or both mooring platforms(502) for passengers to enter and seal themselves in during anemergency.

The front lower curved edge (510) of the linking structure (503)provides an additional feature to create a pressure wave as the level ofthe water rises, thereby enabling the floating mooring to move easilyduring transit.

This system and method of hydraulic displacement has been described withparticular reference to a hydraulic lock for connecting waterways atdifferent elevations although the invention is not limited to thisapplication only. As has been described earlier in the objects of theinvention according to different embodiments, the invention has a widerange of application.

In this regard, all manner of modifications may be made by the manskilled in the art to implement the other applications. For example, thesystem may provide an internal building lift in which case the hydraulicfluid may not be water and the system may be entirely closed such thatpumping mechanisms recirculate the fluid.

In other application areas, the hydraulic lock may be constructedaccording to a curving profile rather than a linear profile. Thisapproach makes possible the connection of waterways separate inelevation but approaching and leaving in the same direction.

In particular, the curving of the hydraulic lock may make use of acurved alignment profile in the inner wall of the transit tube to guidethe floating bollard structure around as it moves up or down within thelock.

This system is ideally suited for large cargo barges which may carry upto 80 containers or more and it may provide a very low cost means ofbuilding canal routes for large vessels over undulating terrain withoutneeding to build complex and expensive structures cost hundreds ofmillions of Curos. In all cases the inner dimensions of the lock and theangle of the structure will be chosen with regard to the dimensions ofthe boats and barges which will use the system.

Also, it is anticipated that where the current invention may be situatedin an area of significant water flow, there may not be the need to buildstorage tanks. In one embodiment, in the instance where water isabundant, the system may make direct use of the water and a reducednumber or no storage tanks are built. In this case, the water will bedirected to fill the cavity tube up to the level of the upper waterwayand the entire cavity will drain into the lower waterway each time thetransit tube is used.

Also, in instances where the main canal network may be higher than thesurrounding land, such as in Holland in areas around the Maas river, thesystem and method of the current invention may provide a waterconnection for boats and barges to link them with the lower surroundinglandscape.

The hydraulic lock system according to the current invention may serveas a tourist attraction and be built in a way to provide a gracefullandscape feature.

The present disclosure is for illustration only and does not include allmodifications and improvements which may fall within the scope of theappended claims.

1. A hydraulic displacement system for raising or lowering floatingobjects or boats or barges between different elevations characterisedby: a central transit tube (101) further comprising; one or morealignment means (111), and a lower entry structure (104) comprising asealing gate (105) to a lower entrance or waterway (107) and an upperentry structure (103) comprising a sealing gate (109) to an upperentrance or waterway (106), and a floating platform structure (501)wherein said floating platform structure (501) moving within saidcentral transit tube (101), and a sequence of one or more side storagetanks (102) connected to said central transit tube (101) by tubescontaining a fluid control valve (108) for exchanging fluid between saidside storage tanks (102) and said central transit tube (101), and apowered control means (110) comprising a command and control centre formonitoring fluid level and water flow and securely managing the entireoperation of said hydraulic displacement system wherein said fluidcontrol valve (108) being controlled by said powered control means (110)or manually opened and closed.
 2. A hydraulic displacement system asdisclosed in claim 1 wherein said hydraulic displacement system beingconstructed of reinforced concrete or other suitable material builteither in situ by pouring said reinforced concrete or suitable material,or by assembling part or complete prefabricated sections, and whereinsaid gates (105, 109) being made of stainless steel or other suitablematerial, and wherein said central transit tube (101) being vertical orsloped for best matching the angle of the terrain profile or bestsuiting for the application.
 3. A hydraulic displacement system asdisclosed in claim 2 wherein said lower entry structure (104) allowingone or two of said floating objects or boats or barges to enter andleave said lower entry structure (301) further comprising a central wetcavity (202) comprising a mounting structure (205) at both ends, and twodry cavities (203) providing means to maintain and service counterweightsystems (207) wherein suitable watertight seals preventing leakage ofwater between said mounting structure (205) and said two dry cavities(203), and an axis (204) connecting said gate (105) and said mountingstructure (205) wherein said axis (204) being connected at each end to acontrol structure (206) which is connected to said central control means(110), and wherein said counterbalance system (207) further comprising amoving element which moves in the opposite direction within thecounterbalance system to the front edge of said gate (208) as said gate(208) is opened or closed, and wherein said lower curved gates (105)being closed around said axis (204) and part of a cylindrical profile.4. A hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in claim 2 furthercomprising an upper entry point (301) surrounded by terrain areas (305)and comprising a safety rail (302) and said upper entry structure (301),wherein said upper entry structure (301) further comprising said gate(109) connecting the upper waterway (106) to the water of the upperentry structure (103) allowing one or two of said floating objects orboats or barges to enter and leave said upper entry structure (301). 5.An hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in claim 2 wherein saidfloating platform structure (501) further comprising two mooringplatforms (502) comprising one or more mooring bollards (509), andwherein at least one of said mooring platforms (502) comprising a safetyhatch (511) linking via internal steps to a closed compartment suitablefor passengers to enter and seal themselves in during an emergency, andan upper element (505), further comprising an alignment arm (504)comprising one or more wheels (507) to make contact with the innersurface of an upper alignment profile (111) of said transit tube (101)in order to align said floating platform structure (501) with said upperalignment profile (111) in the inner surface of said transit tube (101),and a lower linking structure (503) further comprising a lower guidestructure (506) comprising one or more wheels (508) to make contact withthe inner surface of a lower alignment profile (111) of said transittube (101) in order to align said floating platform structure (501) withsaid lower alignment profile (111) in the inner surface of said transittube (101), and a tank for storing fire retardant foam being linked to adispensing means on the surface of said floating mooring platforms(502), and a front lower curved edge (510) for creating a pressure waveas the level of the water rises for enabling said floating mooringplatform (502) to move easily during transit.
 6. An hydraulicdisplacement system as disclosed in claim 1 for connecting canals atdifferent elevations creating a sloping canal lock, or for traversingundulated terrains, or for passing a canal underneath a motorway as acanal bridge, or for harbouring boats in coastal marinas or in marinaslinked to inland lakes and reservoirs or in sheltered coastal harbourswherein said marinas being built above sea level or above the level ofthe surrounding watercourse, or for constructing a dry dock facility, orfor raising and lowering freight or boats or personnel carriers wherethe entry point being at the same height as the storage deck of saidfreight, or for moving a personal-carrying pod which drops into the seain case of an oil rig evacuation or which raises material and foodsupplies, or for underwater sight seeing of an extensive aquarium orclose offshore marine life when the material of said central transittube (101) being transparent, or for the construction of multilevelmoorings adjacent to existing waterways, or for raising and lowering aboat over a defensive sea wall or outer harbour wall or geological rock.7. A hydraulic displacement system for raising or lowering floatingobjects or boats or barges between different elevations characterisedby: two transit tubes (101) wherein each of said transit tubes (101)further comprising; one or more alignment means (111), and a lower entrystructure (104) comprising a sealing gate (105) to a lower waterway(107) and an upper entry structure (103) comprising a sealing gate (109)to an upper waterway (106), and a floating platform structure (501)wherein said floating platform structure (501) moves within said transittube (101) and a sequence of one or more side storage tanks (102)connected to said transit tube (101) by tubes containing a fluid controlvalve (108) for exchanging fluid from said side storage tanks (102) andsaid transit tube (101), and a powered control means (110) comprising acommand and control centre for monitoring fluid level and water flow andsecurely managing the entire operation of said hydraulic displacementsystem wherein said fluid control valve (108) being controlled by saidpowered control means (110) or manually opened and closed, and/or awalkway between said two transit tubes (101), and/or means forconnecting said two transit tubes (101) by tubes containing a fluidcontrol valve for exchanging water between said two transit tubes (101).8. A hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in claim 7 wherein saidhydraulic displacement system being constructed of reinforced concreteor other suitable material built either in situ by pouring saidreinforced concrete or suitable material, or by assembling part orcomplete prefabricated sections, and wherein said gates (105, 109) beingmade of stainless steel or other suitable material and wherein each ofsaid central transit tube (101) being vertical or sloped for bestmatching the angle of the terrain profile or best suiting for theapplication.
 9. A hydraulic displacement system as disclosed in claim 8wherein said lower entry structure (104) allowing one or two of saidfloating objects or boats or barges to enter and leave said lower entrystructure (301) further comprising a central wet cavity (202) comprisinga mounting structure (205) at both end, and two dry cavities (203)providing means to maintain and service counterweight systems (207)wherein suitable watertight seals preventing leakage of water betweensaid mounting structure (205) and said two dry cavities (203), and anaxis (204) connecting said gate (105) and said mounting structure (205)wherein said axis (204) being connected at each end to a controlstructure (206) which is connected to said central control means (110),and wherein said counterbalance system (207) further comprising a movingelement which moves in the opposite direction within the counterbalancesystem to the front edge of said gate (208) as said gate (208) is openedor closed, and wherein said lower curved gates (105) being closed aroundsaid axis (204) and part of a cylindrical profile.
 10. An hydraulicdisplacement system as disclosed in claim 8 further comprising an upperentry point (301) surrounded by terrain areas (305) and comprising asafety rail (302) and said upper entry structure (301), wherein saidupper entry structure (301) further comprising, said gate (109)connecting the upper waterway (106) to the water of the upper entrystructure (103) allowing one or two of said floating objects or boats orbarges to enter and leave said upper entry structure (301).
 11. Ahydraulic displacement system as disclosed in claim 8 wherein saidfloating platform structure (501) further comprising two mooringplatforms (502) comprising one or more mooring bollards (509), andwherein at least one of said mooring platforms (502) comprising a safetyhatch (511) linking via internal steps to a closed compartment suitablefor passengers to enter and seal themselves in during an emergency, andan upper element (505), further comprising an alignment arm (504)comprising one or more wheels (507) to make contact with the innersurface of an upper alignment profile (111) of said transit tube (101)in order to align said floating platform structure (501) with said upperalignment profile (111) in the inner surface of said transit tube (101),and a lower linking structure (503) further comprising a lower guidestructure (506) comprising one or more wheels (508) to make contact withthe inner surface of a lower alignment profile (111) of said transittube (101) in order to align said floating platform structure (501) withsaid lower alignment profile (111) in the inner surface of said transittube (101), and a tank for storing fire retardant foam being linked to adispensing means on the surface of said floating mooring platforms(502), and a front lower curved edge (510) for creating a pressure waveas the level of the water rises for enabling said floating mooringplatform (502) to move easily during transit.
 12. A hydraulicdisplacement system as disclosed in claim 8 wherein said central walkwayfurther comprising a lower and an upper access doors (401) between saidtwo transit tubes (101) a separate tunnel structure comprisingtransparent viewing ports being constructed of a suitable materialhaving the capability to withstand the hydraulic pressures involved,wherein said transparent viewing ports in the transit tubes enablingpedestrians to view said floating objects or boats or barges passingduring transit, watertight doors in order to enable persons to leaveeither of the transit tubes in an emergency case, and/or means forintegrating within said structure safety alarms and control systems,and/or high volume drains for removing water from either of the transittubes in case of emergency comprising drain port valves which can beopened by said command and control centre (110) to enable said transittube (101) containing water to be rapidly drained.
 13. A hydraulicdisplacement system as disclosed in claim 1 for connecting canals atdifferent elevations creating a sloping canal lock, or for traversingundulated terrains, or for passing a canal underneath a motorway as acanal bridge, or for harbouring boats in coastal marinas or in marinaslinked to inland lakes and reservoirs or in sheltered coastal harbourswherein said marinas being built above sea level or above the level ofthe surrounding watercourse, or for constructing a dry dock facility, orfor raising and lowering freight or boats or personnel carriers wherethe entry point being at the same height as the storage deck of saidfreight, or for softly moving a carrying-carrying pod which drops softlyinto the sea in case of an oil rig evacuation or which raises materialand food supplies, or for underwater sight seeing of an extensiveaquarium or close offshore marine life when the material of said centraltransit tube (101) being transparent, or for the construction ofmultilevel moorings adjacent to existing waterways, or for raising andlowering a boat over a defensive sea wall or outer harbour wall orgeological rock.
 14. A method for raising floating objects or boats orbarges by means of a hydraulic displacement system being characterisedby the steps of: entering one or two of said floating objects or boatsor barges into the lower end of a transit tube (101) being connected toone or more side storage tanks (102) by way of a lower waterway (107),passing through the gate (105), and entering the lower entry structure(104), mooring one or two of said floating objects or boats or barges toa floating platform structure (501) by means of two or more mooringbollards (509)wherein said floating platform structure (501) furthercomprising one or more alignment arms (504) comprising one or morewheels (507) in order to be guided by the alignment means (111) of saidtransit tube (101), and a lower linking structure (503) furthercomprising a lower guide structure (506) comprising one or more wheels(508) to make contact with the inner surface of a lower alignmentprofile (111) of said transit tube (101) in order to align said floatingplatform structure (501) with said lower alignment profile (111) in theinner surface of said transit tube (101), and moving said gate (105)within a watertight groove and tightly closing said gate (105) into arecessed groove within the floor of said lower entry structure (104).15. A method for raising floating objects or boats or barges asdisclosed in claim 14 further comprising the steps of: opening thehydraulic fluid valves (108) in turns starting by the lowest of asequence of one or more side storage tanks (102) by said powered controlmeans (110) or manually in order to smoothly fill said central transittube (101) wherein each of said a sequence of said one or more sidestorage tanks (102) being connected to said central transit tube (101)by tubes containing a fluid control valve (108) for exchanging waterfrom said side storage tanks (102) and said central transit tube (101),opening a gate (109) connecting the upper waterway (106) to the upperentry structure (103) for equalling the level of said transit tube (101)with the level of said upper waterway (106) in order to finish the liftof said floating platform structure (501) until the upper entry point(301) level, wherein said upper entry point (301) being surrounded byterrain areas (305) comprising a safety rail (302) and said upper entrystructure (103) and, allowing said one or two of said floating objectsor boats or barges to leave said upper entry structure (301).
 16. Amethod for raising floating objects or boats or barges by means of ahydraulic displacement system as disclosed in claim 15 wherein said stepof opening the hydraulic fluid valves (108) in turns being replaced bythe steps of opening the hydraulic fluid valves (108) in turns and/orexchanging water between two transit tubes (101) for raising floatingobjects or boats or barges in one transit tubes (101) and loweringfloating objects or boats or barges in the other transit tubes (101) atthe same time wherein said two transit tubes (101) being set at an anglebest matching the terrain profile and each of said transit tubes (101)further comprising a floating platform structure (501), and raising saidfloating platform structure (501) in one of said transit tube (101)while at the same time lowering an other floating platform structure(501) in the other transit tube (101) wherein each of said transit tube(101) comprising; one or more alignment means (111), and a sequence ofone or more side storage tanks (102) connected to said transit tube(101) by tubes containing a fluid control valve (108) for exchangingwater from said side storage tanks (102) and said transit tube (101),and/or means for connecting said two transit tubes (101) by tubescontaining a fluid control valve for exchanging water between said twotransit tubes (101) and/or a walkway between said two transit tubes(101), wherein said walkway further comprising a lower and an upperaccess doors (401) between said two transit tubes (101), and a separatetunnel structure comprising transparent viewing ports being constructedof a suitable material having the capability to withstand the hydraulicpressures involved, wherein said transparent viewing ports in thetransit tubes enabling pedestrians to view said floating objects orboats or barges passing during transit, watertight doors in order toenable persons to leave either of the transit tubes in an emergencycase, and/or means for integrating within said structure safety alarmsand control systems, and/or high volume drains for removing water fromeither of the transit tubes in case of emergency comprising drain portvalves which can be opened by said command and control centre (110) toenable the transit tube to be rapidly drained.
 17. A method for loweringfloating objects or boats or barges by means of a hydraulic displacementsystem being characterised by the steps of: entering one or two of saidfloating objects or boats or barges into the upper end of a transit tube(101) by way of an upper waterway (107), wherein said upper entry point(301) being surrounded by terrain areas (305) comprising a safety rail(302) and said upper entry structure (103) and, passing through the gate(109), entering the upper entry structure (104), wherein said upperentry point (301) being surrounded by terrain areas (305) comprising asafety rail (302) and further comprising an upper entry structure (103)and, mooring one or two of said floating objects or boats or barges to afloating platform structure (501) comprising one or more alignment arms(504) in order to be guided by the alignment means (111) of said transittube (101) by means of two or more mooring bollards (509) wherein saidfloating platform structure (501) further comprising one or morealignment arms (504) comprising one or more wheels (508) in order to beguided by the alignment means (111) of said transit tube (101) by meansof two or more mooring bollards (509), and a lower linking structure(503) further comprising a lower guide structure (506) comprising one ormore wheels (507) to make contact with the inner surface of a loweralignment profile (111) of said transit tube (101) in order to alignsaid floating platform structure (501) with said lower alignment profile(111) in the inner surface of said transit tube (101), and closing saidgate (109) in order to prevent the water of said upper waterway (107) toenter said upper entry structure (103).
 18. A method for loweringfloating objects or boats or barges by means of a hydraulic displacementsystem as disclosed in claim 17 further comprising the steps of: openingthe hydraulic fluid valves (108) in turns starting by the highest of asequence of one or more side storage tanks (102) by said powered controlmeans (110) or manually in order to smoothly fill said central transittube (101) wherein each of said sequence of said one or more sidestorage tanks (102) being connected to said central transit tube (101)by tubes containing a fluid control valve (108) for exchanging waterfrom said side storage tanks (102) and said central transit tube (101),opening a gate (105) connecting the lower waterway (107) to the lowerentry structure (104) for equalling the level of said transit tube (101)with the level of said lower waterway (107) in order to finish thedescent of said floating platform structure (501) until the lower entry(104) level, allowing said one or two of said floating objects or boatsor barges to leave said lower entry structure (301).
 19. A method forlowering floating objects or boats or barges by means of a hydraulicdisplacement system as disclosed in claim 15 wherein said step ofopening the hydraulic fluid valves (108) in turns being replaced by thesteps of opening the hydraulic fluid valves (108) in turns and/orexchanging water between two transit tubes (101) for lowering floatingobjects or boats or barges in one transit tubes (101) and raisingfloating objects or boats or barges in the other transit tubes (101) atthe same time wherein said two transit tubes (101) being set at an anglebest matching the terrain profile or best suiting the application andeach of said transit tubes (101) further comprising a floating platformstructure (501), and raising said floating platform structure (501) inone of said transit tube (101) while at the same time lowering an otherfloating platform structure (501) in the other transit tube (101)wherein each of said transit tube (101) comprising; one or morealignment means (111), and a sequence of one or more side storage tanks(102) connected to said transit tube (101) by tubes containing a fluidcontrol valve (108) for exchanging water from said side storage tanks(102) and said transit tube (101), and/or means for connecting said twotransit tubes (101) by tubes containing a fluid control valve forexchanging water between said two transit tubes (101) and/or a walkwaybetween said two transit tubes (101), wherein said walkway furthercomprising a lower and an upper access doors (401) between said twotransit tubes (101), and a separate tunnel structure comprisingtransparent viewing ports being constructed of a suitable materialhaving the capability to withstand the hydraulic pressures involved,wherein said transparent viewing ports in the transit tubes enablingpedestrians to view said floating objects or boats or barges passingduring transit, watertight doors in order to enable persons to leaveeither of the transit tubes in an emergency case, and/or means forintegrating within said structure safety alarms and control systems,and/or high volume drains for removing water from either of the transittubes in case of emergency comprising drain port valves which can beopened by said command and control centre (110) to enable the transittube to be rapidly drained.